Uplink Power Control in NR Decoupled Scenarios

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Solution Overview

Problem

In uplink and downlink decoupling scenarios of New Radio (NR) technology, the difference in path losses between uplink and downlink transmissions makes it challenging for user equipment (UE) to perform accurate uplink power control using downlink measurements.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves a base station sending reference signals to a terminal, allowing the terminal to measure the path loss and calculate its uplink transmit power based on the received signals and predefined thresholds, even in scenarios where downlink and uplink frequencies differ significantly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If downlink path loss is used as uplink path loss to obtain uplink transmit power, then the method is simple and can be implemented, but the accuracy deteriorates significantly in uplink and downlink decoupling scenarios due to large frequency differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of power control methodVSAvoidaccuracy of uplink transmit power
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the power control process into two distinct parts: downlink path loss measurement (for coverage assessment) and uplink path loss estimation (for actual power control). By separating these functions and using different frequency carriers for each, the system maintains simplicity in measurement while improving accuracy in power determination for decoupled scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary frequency relationship parameter that acts as a bridge between downlink and uplink path losses. This intermediary parameter allows the system to transfer path loss information across frequency boundaries, enabling accurate uplink power control even when downlink and uplink operate on significantly different frequencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If uplink and downlink use the same frequency carrier, then path loss measurement is accurate and simple, but the system cannot support uplink and downlink decoupling scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of path loss measurementVSAvoidsupport for decoupling scenarios
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal path loss estimation method that works in both coupled and decoupled scenarios. By establishing a frequency relationship parameter that can adapt to different frequency configurations, the system maintains measurement accuracy whether uplink and downlink use the same carrier or different carriers, thus achieving multi-functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts the frequency relationship parameter based on the operational scenario. When decoupling is detected, the system changes the parameter to account for frequency differences, allowing accurate path loss estimation across varying frequency configurations without requiring separate methods for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If frequency difference between uplink and downlink carriers is increased to enable decoupling, then coverage difference is reduced, but path loss difference increases making power control difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage balanceVSAvoidpath loss measurement accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The frequency relationship parameter serves as an intermediary that compensates for the path loss difference caused by large frequency gaps. This parameter enables the system to maintain reliable coverage balance through decoupling while correcting for the measurement inaccuracies that would otherwise result from the frequency difference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the path loss estimation parameters based on the frequency relationship between uplink and downlink carriers. By adjusting these parameters according to the frequency gap, the system maintains measurement precision even when large frequency differences are used to achieve coverage balance through decoupling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3709722B1Uplink control method, device and system
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3709722B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3709722B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3709722B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide an uplink control method, apparatus, and system. The method includes: determining a downlink path loss based on a first reference signal receive power that is of a serving cell in which the terminal device is located and that is obtained through measurement, where the first reference signal is a signal of a first network; receiving a first transmit power and a second transmit power that are sent by the base station, where the first transmit power includes an uplink transmit power of the terminal expected by the base station and a path loss offset, and the second transmit power includes the uplink transmit power of the terminal expected by the base station, the path loss offset, and a penetration loss offset; and if the first reference signal receive power is greater than or equal to a preset threshold, obtaining, by the terminal, an uplink transmit power of the terminal in the first network based on the first transmit power; or if the first reference signal receive power is less than a preset threshold, obtaining, by the terminal, an uplink transmit power of the terminal in the first network based on the second transmit power. In this application, the uplink transmit power of the terminal in the uplink and downlink decoupling scenario is obtained by using the foregoing method.